Astronaut Shubhanshu ‘Shuks’ Shukla and Axiom CEO Tejpaul Bhatia on the Historic AX-4 Mission
In a defining moment for India’s space ambitions, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to board the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the landmark AX-4 mission. Alongside Axiom Space CEO Tejpaul Bhatia, the trailblazing astronaut spoke exclusively to SEEMA about the emotional weight of this journey, the significance of global collaboration, and how this mission will inspire generations to come.
For Shukla, the flight is more than a personal milestone—it’s a testament to India’s relentless pursuit of the stars. Meanwhile, Bhatia, the visionary behind this historic public-private space endeavor, reflected on the mission’s deeper meaning: “This is about proving that when determination meets opportunity, even the sky is not the limit.”
India’s Historic Leap to the ISS with AX-4
The AX-4 mission is more than just another voyage to the International Space Station (ISS)—it is a testament to the power of global collaboration. For the first time in history, an Indian astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (call sign ‘Shuks’), is floating through the corridors of the ISS, carrying with him the aspirations of a nation that has waited 41 years since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian man in space.
A Mission of Unity
The AX-4 mission, orchestrated by Axiom Space, is a rare convergence of international partnership, featuring astronauts from four different countries. In a press conference held in quarantine before launch, the crew, accompanied by their mascot, a plush swan named Joy, shared their thoughts on the historic journey.
Group Captain Shukla began with a resonant “Namaskar,” grounding the moment in Indian tradition. “This journey is not just mine,” he reflected. “I carry the hopes and dreams of over a billion hearts.”
A Taste of Home
Even in the vast emptiness of space, a piece of home will accompany Shuks. Tucked into his limited personal baggage are Indian mementos—small but meaningful symbols of his roots. More crucially, his mission-approved menu includes Aamras, Moong Dal Halwa, and Gajar Halwa—comfort foods carefully selected to ensure, as he joked, “so that my mother doesn’t worry about what I’ll eat in zero gravity.”
But beyond the personal, his mission carries a deeper purpose: to inspire. “Space is not a distant dream,” he said, his voice steady with conviction. “Dream boldly about a future that is exciting. The stars are attainable.”
The Man Who Willed It to Happen
For Tejpaul Bhatia, CEO of Axiom Space, the AX-4 mission is the realization of a lifelong obsession. “You can imagine for India what Shuks means not just to the billions of people in India but the entire Indian diaspora around the world,” Bhatia said. “It’s the two largest democracies where things can get very hard, but we willed it to happen.”
What Lies Beyond
As the world watched the launch on June 25 at 2:31 a.m. ET from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, for India, it’s the beginning of a new chapter in space exploration. And as Group Captain Shukla makes history, his words linger like a beacon: “The stars are attainable.”
